Kirk and Spock's friendship

[velour]

Kirk was not just Spock's friend. He was also Spock's commanding officer.

Kirk had a greater responsibility than Spock. Kirk was responsible for the safety of the ship and crew. Kirk had to balance performing his duties and responsibilities with maintaining his friendship with Spock. And he did a good job balancing the two.

I remember there were a number of scenes from various episodes where Kirk upbraided Spock, or talked down to Spock in a way that a commanding officer may at times do to a subordinate. Kirk had to ensure that the mission was accomplished, even if it meant harsh words to a friend.

"Amok Time" was a good example of Kirk's balancing act. He verbally reprimanded Spock because Spock was causing havoc with the ship's mission, but at the same time, he tried to accommodate Spock's personal needs.

 

[urbandefault]

A close friendship also lends itself to speaking in code.

"Mind your own business, Mr. Spock! I'm sick of your half-breed interference, do you hear?"

 

[Spock's Barber]

^ or that famous blooper reel line spoken by Shatner....

"Mr. Spack."

 

[velour]

Kirk and Spock may have been friends. But even they had a difficult time talking to each other about a certain aspect of biology.

In "Amok Time", Kirk and Spock couldn't even look each other in the face as they discussed the "birds and bees" of Vulcan biology. They were having that awkward sex talk. It was quite an amusing scene actually.

 

[Commishsleer]

If Kirk and Spock had not met through their service together I don't think they would have been friends having nothing socially or professionally in common. The same goes for Dr McCoy.
Kirk had heaps of Captain friends and Commodores and the like and Gary Mitchell who on the surface had very much in common with Kirk.
Kirk made friends easily, I think Spock and McCoy would have been too much trouble to make the effort even if they would allow it.
Saying that where were all Kirk's important "friends" in "Court Martial" or in the movies? Who always stood by him through thick and thin?
Spock and McCoy were friends Kirk made in what I consider war-time conditions. Friends who would lay down their lives for you. Its hard rto imagine a peace time equivalent.

And Kirk is often a cranky, secretive commander. I can't imagine Picard or Janeway keeping important personal information from their crew as Kirk does in "Obsession", "Conscience of the King", "Operation Annihilate". He is a much more volatile Captain than the rest so invites questioning from his senior officers. And tolerates McCoys often outright insubordination and Spock's occasional mutiny

 

[Nyotarules]

I am surprised McCoy and Spock are friends since they spend a lot of their time racially insulting each other, with Kirk looking on in amusement. As for Kirk and McCoy from my female perspective, the latter is more attractive to woman, he does not have to try too hard and the former acts like he fancies himself more than whoever he is in bed with.

 

[Trekfan12]

I am surprised McCoy and Spock are friends since they spend a lot of their time racially insulting each other, with Kirk looking on in amusement. As for Kirk and McCoy from my female perspective, the latter is more attractive to woman, he does not have to try too hard and the former acts like he fancies himself more than whoever he is in bed with.

It's banter, underneath all that those barbs at each other is respect and I dare say it love.

 

[Trekfan12]

If Kirk and Spock had not met through their service together I don't think they would have been friends having nothing socially or professionally in common. The same goes for Dr McCoy.
Kirk had heaps of Captain friends and Commodores and the like and Gary Mitchell who on the surface had very much in common with Kirk.
Kirk made friends easily, I think Spock and McCoy would have been too much trouble to make the effort even if they would allow it.
Saying that where were all Kirk's important "friends" in "Court Martial" or in the movies? Who always stood by him through thick and thin?
Spock and McCoy were friends Kirk made in what I consider war-time conditions. Friends who would lay down their lives for you. Its hard rto imagine a peace time equivalent.

And Kirk is often a cranky, secretive commander. I can't imagine Picard or Janeway keeping important personal information from their crew as Kirk does in "Obsession", "Conscience of the King", "Operation Annihilate". He is a much more volatile Captain than the rest so invites questioning from his senior officers. And tolerates McCoys often outright insubordination and Spock's occasional mutiny

I think that Kirk and Spock compliment each other, their relationship started because of Kirk taking over command of the Enterprise and then as they got to know each other it became so much more. There are many layers, Kirk relies on Spock's intelligence and his objective viewpoints. Remember in "Corbomite manuever" Spock asked him why he keeps asking him about things he's already made up his mind about and Kirk say's it gives him emotional support (I think those were his words) I think from Kirk, Spock learns that it's okay to let his hair down, so to speak. To be in touch with his human side.